Trap



Aug. 7, 11923. M6439@ J. F. ALLlsoN TRAP Filed Dec. 21 1921 2 sheets-sheet 1 Aug. '7, 11923. v lfg@ .J.` F. ALLISON TRAP Filed Dec. 2l. 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 gnve'nfofa ldatented Ang. 7, 1923.

JAMES `Il'l. ALLISON', 0F MCMINNVILLE.

TRAP.

Application filed December i T all w hom it may concern.'

Be it known that l, Janes F. ALLisoN, a citizen lof the United States, residing at Mehllinnville, in the county of lNarren and State 'of Tennessee, have invented certain new and useful lmprovements in a Trap, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to a trap for catching animals and has for its principalob-ject to generally improve upon devices of this nature by providing a structure wliieh'is extremely simple and efficient in operation and which may be manufactured at a comparatively low cost.

- Another object of the invention is to provide a trap of this nature which will be durable, strong, and capable of firmly gripping the animal so as toprevent his escape.

A still further object of the invention is to provide novel setting and tripping means for the trap.

With these and numerous othery objects in view, the invention resides in certain novel features 'of construction, and the combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

In the drawing:-

Figure 1 is a top plan of the trap,

Figure 2 is a longitudinal vertical sec tion taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a-bottom plan of the trap with the hinged closure in an open position,

Figure et is a central transverse vertical section,

yFigure 5 is a sideelevation of the trap showing a portion thereof in section7 and Figure 6 is a detailed section taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 4 looking in the direction of the arrow. j

Referring to the preferred embodiment of the invention as disclosed in the drawing it will be seen that the case 1 is formed substantially rectangular in top plan and the upper platform thereof is provided with a pair of Usshaped slots 2 which have their ends extending toward each other. A pair of U-shaped jaws 3 are pivoted at 4; within the case 1 so as to be capable of swinging to horizontal and vertical positions suoli as are indicated in Figures 2 and 5 respectively. Each ofthe jaws are provided with a plurality of prongs 5 which extend vertically therefrom when the jaws are in a horizontal position and extend toward each other when the jaws are in a vertical position so as to 2i, i921. serieu no. 523,925.

firmly grasp the animal between the jaws.r

4the aws in their vertical positions as is indicated to advantage in Figure 5, and thus it will be impossible for the animal to work loose from engagement with the prongs 5.

ltach dog 1() includes a notched body portion 10 having an angular extension 11 which is engaged by the leaf spring` 12"as is illustrated to advantage in Figure 2.

' The setting mechanism of thetrap comprises a lever 11 which is suitably pivoted in a bracket 12 and is provided at one end with a cross bar 13 having angular extending lips 14; at each end for the purpose of engaging the rods 8 and thereby holding the jaws in a horizontal position as is indicated in Figures 3 and G. The other endV of the lever 11 is provided with a pair of spaced parallel ears 14 forming a seat for the spring 15 which tends to disengage the cross bar 13 of the lever 11 from the rods 8 so that the springs 9 may actuate the jaws to a vertical position. This spring 15 is provided with an angular extension 16 at one end while the other end thereof is fixed to a block 17 mounted in the case 1. 'ihe angular extension 1G has a lip 18 which is engageable with a spring pressed pivoted dog 19 carried in the slot of the block 20 which is fixed to the platform of the case 1 intermediate its ends so as to extend transversely thereacross. An aperture 21 is provided in the platform so as to be centrally located and a string or other flexible member 22 is passed therethrough and has one end attached to one end of the pivoted dog 19. The other end of the flexible member 22 is provided with a baiting hook. 1When the spring pressed dog 19 is fulcruined this will allow the lip 18 on the angular extension of the spring 15 to slip from engagement therewith.

W hen it is desired to set the trap `the jaws are moved to a horizontal position after the rods 8 have been disengaged froin the spring pressed dog l() and by pressing upon the pocketed end of the lever 11 it will be seen the hooks of the flexible member 22.

that the lips of the cross bari13 will engage the rods 8 for holding the jaws in a horizoir tal position. At the same time the spring 16 will be forced into the slot of the block 20 rso that its lip 18 will engage the spring pressed dog 19.` `Bait is then placed upon When an animal attempts to move the bait from the hook of the flexible member he will naturally jerk orpull the same thereby piv-l spring. 15 is preferably formed of spring metaly throughout so that the lip 18' may readily spring from engagement with the end of the 'dog 19 when the saine is pivoted. Wliereupon the coil springs 9 will snap with considerable force the jaws 3 toa vertical position and as soon as they have reached the Vertical position the rods 8 will be caught by the spring pressed pawls 10 so that the jaws are eficiently locked in a vertical or engaging position. j

having thus described my invention what 1 claim asnew is:

1. In combination, ,a support, a pairv of pivoted jaws on the support, means lasso-eV ing la cross bar at onek end, lips on the termi- 1 nals of the cross. barvfor engaging the jaws so as to hold them 1n a non-engaging pos'ition, a'spring positioned on the'snpport so as to normally engage thev lever soasl to ac` tuate the same 1n a non-engaging position with respect to the jaws7 a spring pressed dog lor engaging thespringso as to hold it in a non-actuating position, means for actuating or releasing `the dog andmea'ns for normally` urgingthe jaws to an engaging l position.

In testimony whereof I ax my lsignature in presence of two witnesses. j

JAMES F. ALLISGN. Witnesses: y i

' HORACE HQSTILES,

Lorns L. PAGE. 

